JP6703797B2 - Image forming apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with a power saving mode that is in a power saving state and a control method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art Multi-function peripherals having a plurality of functions that can be used as scanners, printers, facsimiles, and copiers are widely used. In such a multifunction peripheral, when the user selects a desired function on the standby screen, a setting screen for that function is displayed, and the user uses the setting screen to set the details of the function to be executed.

A technique for simplifying such a user operation is described in, for example, Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, when a USB memory is attached while the standby screen is displayed, it is determined whether or not a document is placed on the scanner, and if the document is placed, the document is scanned to display an image. The process is moving to the process of saving data in the USB memory. Further, in Patent Document 1, if a document is not placed on the scanner when the USB memory is attached, the process shifts to a direct print process for printing the data in the USB memory.

JP, 2010-87670, A

On the other hand, in order to reduce the power consumption, such a multifunction peripheral has a power saving mode in which the power supply to the scanner and the printer unit is stopped when not in operation to enter the power saving state. In such a multifunction device, a predetermined operation screen is displayed when returning from the power saving state, a user operation is accepted via the operation screen, and the function instructed by the user is executed.

Therefore, when returning from the power saving state, the default screen is always displayed, so that the user must select a desired function from the screen and set the details of the function. Therefore, there is a demand for a screen display that can simplify the user's operation even when returning from the power saving state.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

The feature of the present invention is that it is possible to recover from the power saving state by placing a document, and by displaying a screen of functions that can be executed depending on whether or not an external memory is connected at that time, It is to provide a technique for reducing the number of operations.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
Display part,
An interface to enable mounting of external memory,
A detection unit that detects that a document is placed on the conveyance unit that conveys the document,
A reading unit that reads the document and generates image data of the document;
In the first power state where the display power is not supplied to the display unit, the display power is supplied to the display unit from the first power state based on the detection result by the detection unit. Power control means for returning to the second power state,
Setting means for setting one screen from a plurality of screens based on a user's instruction;
Depending on the return to the power control unit and the second power state by having a display control means for displaying a screen on the display unit, and
When the external memory is attached to the interface and power is supplied from the interface in the second power state after the recovery by the power control unit, the display control unit displays the image data generated by the reading unit. A screen that can be instructed to be stored in the external memory is displayed on the display unit, and if the external memory is not attached to the interface, the screen set by the setting unit is displayed on the display unit;
It is characterized by

According to the present invention, it is possible to recover from a power saving state by placing a document, and display a screen of functions that can be executed depending on whether or not an external memory is connected at that time, thereby saving power. There is an effect that the user's operation when returning from the state can be reduced.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating an operation panel of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating power supply in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a factor for returning from the power saving state in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment and information specifying the return screen displayed on the display unit according to the factor, and FIG. ~ (D). A flow chart (A) explaining processing when the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment returns from the power saving state, and a screen for selecting a standard function at the time of return set by default in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The figure which shows an example (B).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and all combinations of the features described in the present embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solving means of the present invention. ..

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming apparatus 100 includes a printing unit 107, a reading unit 109 that reads an original to generate image data, an operation panel 110, a line I/F 112, and a control unit 101 that controls these.

The control unit 101 includes a CPU 102, a RAM 103, a ROM 104, a printing unit I/F 106, a reading unit I/F 108, a modem 111, a USB-DI/F 115, a network I/F 118, and a USB-HI/F 122. These are connected to the CPU 102 via the system bus 105. The CPU 102 generally controls the above-mentioned units according to various control programs stored in the ROM 104. Various control programs are stored in the program area of the ROM 104, and at the time of execution, the compressed data stored in the program area of the ROM 104 is expanded and expanded in the RAM 103 and executed. Further, the control program may be stored in a hard disk drive (HDD) (not shown) in a compressed state or an uncompressed state, and may be expanded in the RAM 103 by the boot program stored in the ROM 104.

The network I/F 118 performs communication processing with a host computer 121 (hereinafter, PC) via a network (LAN) 120 or the like. The network I/F 118 and the network 120 are connected by a communication cable such as a LAN cable 119. The PC 121 can also be connected to the USB cable 116 via the USB-DI/F 115. The modem 111 is connected to the public line network 114 via the line I/F 112 and performs communication processing with another image forming apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, a telephone, etc. not shown. The line I/F 112 and the public line network 114 are generally connected by a telephone line 113 or the like. The external memory 123 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 via the USB-HI/F 122.

The printing unit I/F 106 serves as an interface that outputs an image signal to the printing unit 107 (printer engine). The reading unit I/F 108 also serves as an interface for inputting an image signal from the reading unit 109 (scanner engine). During the copy operation, the CPU 102 processes the image signal input from the reading unit I/F 109 and outputs it as a recording image signal to the printing unit I/F 106.

Further, the CPU 102 uses the font information stored in the font area of the ROM 104 to display characters and symbols on the display unit of the operation panel 110, and receives instruction information instructed by the user via the operation panel 110. In the data area of the ROM 104, device information of the image forming apparatus 100, user's telephone directory information, department management information, etc. are stored, read by the CPU 102 as needed, and updated as needed.

Although the reading unit 109 and the printing unit 107 are included in the image forming apparatus 100 in FIG. 1, either or both of them may be provided outside the image forming apparatus 100.

The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has a copy function by the reading unit 109 and the printing unit 107, a scan function by the reading unit 109 and the USB-DI/F 115, and the like. In addition, it has a facsimile function by the modem 111, a printing function instructed by the PC 121 via the USB cable 116 or the network 120, and a function of printing the image data stored in the external memory 123.

FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating the operation panel 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.

The operation panel 110 has function keys 201 to 204 for selecting the above-mentioned function, and the user presses a button of the function to be used to instruct execution of the function. Further, it has a display unit 205 for notifying the user of the setting state and the device state of the image forming apparatus 100. The arrow key 206 is used to move a cursor or the like displayed on the display unit 205. The arrow key 206 includes four buttons of up, down, left and right, and an OK key 207 is arranged at the center of the arrow key 206, and has a function of a “decision key” for setting or inquiry. The user uses the ten-key pad 208 to input the number of copies and the telephone number in the facsimile function.

Further, there are a monochrome start key 209 and a color start key 210 as keys for instructing the start of copying, scanning and facsimile. Incidentally, in the case of an image forming apparatus having a function of automatically discriminating whether a document is a color document or a monochrome document when the document is read by the reading unit 109, it may not have a color and monochrome start key as shown in FIG. . The stop key 211 is a key for instructing to stop the operation of each function. On the other hand, as a means for stopping the operation, the user uses the status confirmation/stop key 212 to select the processing to be stopped from the status confirmation screen of the processing currently being performed by the image forming apparatus 100, and cancels the processing. Can be made. Also in that case, the arrow key 206 and the OK key 207 described above are used for selection and determination.

A one-touch key 213, an abbreviated key 214, and an address book key 215 are provided as means for easily specifying a destination when performing facsimile or transmission. The one-touch key 213 has one destination registered for each button, and by pressing a desired button, the destination registered for that button can be specified. On the speed dial 214, a screen prompting the user to input a number is displayed by pressing the speed key 214, and a destination can be designated by inputting a number assigned to a desired destination from the ten keys 208. The address book 215 is a key for displaying a list of destinations registered in the image forming apparatus 100, a desired destination is selected from the displayed list of destinations by the arrow key 206, and the destination is selected by the OK key 207. Is determined as the destination.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating power supply in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.

Electric power is supplied from the commercial AC power supply 301 through the SW 302. The power supplied from the AC power supply 301 is converted into 3.3V DC by the first power supply unit 303. This 3.3V DC supplies power to the CPU 102, RAM 103, ROM 104, USB-DI/F 115, network I/F 118, various buttons 309, document detection sensor 311, and modem 111, which require constant power supply. Since the various buttons 309 arranged on the operation panel 110 are constantly supplied with power, it is possible to detect a key operation performed by the user via the operation panel 110 in the power saving state. Further, since the document detection sensor 311 included in the ADF (Automatic Document Feeding Device) 310 is always supplied with power, it is possible to detect that the document is placed on the ADF 310 in the power saving state. Therefore, these key operations and document placement can be a factor for returning from the power saving state.

The second power supply unit 304 converts the power supplied from the AC power supply 301 into 5V DC, and supplies it to the operation panel 110, the ADF 310, and the USB-HI/F 122. Further, the third power supply unit 305 converts the electric power supplied from the AC power supply 301 into 24V DC, and supplies it to the printing unit I/F 106, the printing unit 107, the reading unit I/F 108, and the reading unit 109. The power supplied from the second power supply unit 304 and the third power supply unit 305 is not supplied in the power saving state.

The power control unit 308 is notified of signals from the USB-D I/F 115, the network I/F 118, the job input from the modem 111, various buttons 309, and the original detection sensor 311 which are factors that cause a return from the power saving state. When any of these signals is input, the power control unit 308 turns on the relays 306 and 307 and causes the AC power supply 301 to supply power to the second power supply unit 304 and the third power supply unit 305. As a result, the power supply to the units connected to the second power supply unit 304 and the third power supply unit 305 is restarted, and the image forming apparatus 100 returns from the power saving state. Since the USB-HI/F 122 is connected to the second power supply unit 304 here, the attachment of the external memory 123 to the USB-HI/F 122 cannot be detected in the power saving state.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a factor for returning from the power saving state in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, and information specifying the return screen displayed on the display unit 205 accordingly.

Here, the return screen is determined as will be described later, depending on whether the external memory 123 is attached and whether the document is placed on the ADF 310.

FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of a return screen when the document is placed on the ADF 310 and the power saving state is restored while the external memory 123 is mounted.

In FIG. 4B, a scan start screen for starting reading of an original by the reading unit 109 is displayed, and the original reading size, color mode, file format, etc. can be set using this screen. Here, it is assumed that the image data obtained by reading the document by the reading unit 109 is stored in the external memory 123, and the "scan to external memory" function screen is displayed.

FIG. 4C is a diagram showing an example of a return screen when the power is restored from the power saving state due to a return factor other than the document placed on the ADF 310 with the external memory 123 attached. In FIG. 4C, a screen for selecting and printing a file stored in the external memory 123 is displayed. Using this screen, file selection, print type, etc. can be set. Here, on the assumption that the image data stored in the external memory 123 is printed, the "print from external memory" function screen is displayed.

FIG. 4D shows that the external memory 123 is not attached, and the power is returned from the power saving state due to a return factor caused by the document placed on the ADF 310 or a return factor other than the document placed on the ADF 310. It is a figure which shows an example of the return screen at the time of doing.

In FIG. 4D, a screen for reading a document by the reading unit 109 and starting a copy for printing by the printing unit 107 is displayed. Using this screen, paper selection, print density, document type, You can set whether to print on both sides. Here, an example in which the copy function is set as the standard return screen set in the image forming apparatus 100 is displayed.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart illustrating processing when the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment returns from the power saving state. A program that executes this process is stored in, for example, the ROM 104, is expanded in the RAM 102 at the time of execution, and is executed under the control of the CPU 102.

This processing is started when the image forming apparatus 100 returns from the power saving state. First, in step S501, the CPU 102 determines whether the document detection sensor 311 of the ADF 310 has returned from the power saving state due to the document placed on the ADF 310. To determine. If it is determined in S501 that the recovery from the power saving state due to the document placed on the ADF 310 is performed, the process proceeds to S502, and the CPU 102 determines whether or not the external memory 123 is attached. If the CPU 102 determines in step S502 that the external memory 123 is attached, the process advances to step S503 to display a "scan to external memory" screen as shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the CPU 102 determines in step S502 that the external memory 123 is not attached, the process advances to step S505 to display a standard return screen (for example, FIG. 4D) set by default on the image forming apparatus 100, This process ends.

If the CPU 102 determines in S601 that the power saving state has been restored due to a restoration factor other than the document placed on the ADF 310, the process proceeds to S504, and the CPU 102 determines whether the external memory 123 is attached. When it is determined in S504 that the external memory 123 is attached, the process proceeds to S506, and the CPU 102 ends the process by displaying a "print from external memory" function screen as shown in FIG. 4C, for example. On the other hand, if the CPU 102 determines in step S504 that the external memory 123 is not attached, the process advances to step S505 to display a standard return screen (for example, FIG. 4D) set in the image forming apparatus 100. The process ends. Therefore, when the external memory 123 is not attached, the standard return screen set in the image forming apparatus 100 is displayed regardless of the return factor.

FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting a standard function at the time of restoration set by default in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.

The function set using this screen is the screen of the function displayed in FIG. In the screen of FIG. 5B, "copy" is selected as the default screen. Therefore, in this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 4D, a screen where copying can be started is displayed as a default screen.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, whether or not the factor for returning from the power saving state is that the document is placed on the reading unit, and the external memory is attached when the document is returned from the power saving state. An appropriate return screen can be displayed depending on whether or not the user is wearing it.

That is, in the present embodiment, depending on the state of the image forming apparatus when returning from the power saving state, the connection state of the memory, and the like, a return screen can be displayed to start the function that can be executed in that state. This allows the user to execute the intended function from the screen without switching the return screen.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the default screen can be set using the screen of FIG. 5B, for example, when the document is placed on the ADF 310 and returned when the external memory 123 is not mounted, the default screen can be set. It is also possible to display a FAX transmission screen instead of copying.

In addition, when the return factor is a user's key operation on the operation unit, a return screen corresponding to the key operation may be displayed.

Although not shown in FIG. 5(B), the setting of “follow the recovery factor” may be provided in the setting of the default screen. Thus, for example, when the operation panel 110 is restored by a key operation, the facsimile transmission screen or the copy screen can be displayed. Further, when returning by receiving from the network, for example, a print screen is displayed, and when returning by receiving data by the modem 111, for example, a facsimile receiving screen can be displayed.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads the program. This is the process to be executed.

100 image forming apparatus: 101 control unit: 102 CPU

Claims (19)

Display part,
An interface to enable mounting of external memory,
A detection unit that detects that a document is placed on the conveyance unit that conveys the document,
A reading unit that reads the document and generates image data of the document;
In the first power state where the display power is not supplied to the display unit, the display power is supplied to the display unit from the first power state based on the detection result by the detection unit. Power control means for returning to the second power state,
Setting means for setting one screen from a plurality of screens based on a user's instruction,
Depending on the return to the power control unit and the second power state by having a display control means for displaying a screen on the display unit, and
When the external memory is attached to the interface and power is supplied from the interface in the second power state after the recovery by the power control unit, the display control unit displays the image data generated by the reading unit. A screen that can be instructed to be stored in the external memory is displayed on the display unit, and if the external memory is not attached to the interface, the screen set by the setting unit is displayed on the display unit;
An image forming apparatus characterized by the above. In the second power state after the restoration, the display control means, when the external memory is attached to the interface and is supplied with power from the interface, transfers the image data to the external memory in a set file format. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a screen that can be instructed to be saved is displayed on the display unit. In the first power state, the power control unit further returns from the first power state to the second power state based on an operation of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1 or 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit notifies the device state of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interface is a USB interface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external memory is a USB memory. Display part,
An image forming apparatus control method executed in an image forming apparatus having an interface for enabling attachment of an external memory,
A detection process for detecting that a document is placed on the conveyance unit that conveys the document,
A reading step of reading the document and generating image data of the document;
In the first power state in which power for display is not supplied to the display unit, power for display is supplied to the display unit from the first power state based on the detection result in the detection step. And a power control step of returning to the second power state,
A setting step of setting one screen from a plurality of screens based on a user's instruction,
Depending on the return to the second power state by the power control step comprises a display control step of displaying a screen on the display unit, and
In the display control step, in the second power state after the return in the power control step, when the external memory is attached to the interface and power is supplied from the interface, the image data generated in the reading step is displayed. A screen that can be instructed to be saved in the external memory is displayed on the display unit, and if the external memory is not attached to the interface, the screen set in the setting step is displayed on the display unit;
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: In the display control step, in the second power state after the return, when the external memory is attached to the interface and is supplied with power from the interface, the image data is transferred to the external memory in a set file format. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a screen that can be instructed to be saved is displayed on the display unit. In the power control step, in the first power state, further, based on an operation of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus, the first power state is returned to the second power state. Item 9. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to Item 7 or 8. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the display unit is notified of a device state of the image forming apparatus. 11. The control method of the image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the interface is a USB interface. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the external memory is a USB memory. Display part,
An interface to enable mounting of external memory,
A detection unit that detects that a document is placed on the conveyance unit that conveys the document,
A reading unit that reads the document and generates image data of the document;
In the first power state where the display power is not supplied to the display unit, the display power is supplied to the display unit from the first power state based on the detection result by the detection unit. Power control means for returning to the second power state,
Setting means for setting one screen from a plurality of screens based on a user's instruction;
Depending on the return to the power control unit and the second power state by having a display control means for displaying a screen on the display unit, and
The display control means stores the image data generated by the reading means in the external memory in the second power state after the recovery by the power control means, based on the mounting state of the external memory to the interface. A screen that can be instructed to be displayed on the display unit, and if the external memory is not attached to the interface, the screen set by the setting unit is displayed on the display unit.
An image forming apparatus characterized by the above. In the second power state after the restoration, the display control means, when the external memory is attached to the interface and is supplied with power from the interface, transfers the image data to the external memory in a set file format. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a screen that can be instructed to be saved is displayed on the display unit. In the first power state, the power control unit further returns from the first power state to the second power state based on an operation of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. Item 15. The image forming apparatus according to item 13 or 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the display unit notifies a device state of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the interface is a USB interface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the external memory is a USB memory. Display part,
An image forming apparatus control method executed in an image forming apparatus having an interface for enabling attachment of an external memory,
A detection process for detecting that a document is placed on the conveyance unit that conveys the document,
A reading step of reading the document and generating image data of the document;
In the first power state in which power for display is not supplied to the display unit, power for display is supplied to the display unit from the first power state based on the detection result in the detection step. And a power control step of returning to the second power state,
A setting step of setting one screen from a plurality of screens based on a user's instruction,
Depending on the return to the second power state by the power control step comprises a display control step of displaying a screen on the display unit, and
In the display control step, in the second power state after the return in the power control step, the image data generated in the reading step is stored in the external memory based on the attachment state of the external memory to the interface. A screen that can be instructed to be displayed on the display unit, and if the external memory is not attached to the interface, the screen set in the setting step is displayed on the display unit.
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising:

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